American International College (AIC) is honoring its historic past, inclusive present, and bright future with the launch of the We Are AIC Project – a campuswide initiative guided by respect for diversity, a commitment to access and opportunity, and a deep sense of pride in our community.
The opening ceremony, held on April 7, 2025, marked the unveiling of the inaugural exhibit in the West Wing Gallery inside the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center. This permanent installation features historical items from the College’s archives, including pieces that were nearly lost to time.
Among the items on display is a medal presented to an alumnus by President George W. Bush in recognition of service to the country, a photograph of the 1909-1910 AIC Debate Club, and a 1913 Immigration Journal – each piece a historical treasure.
Where did all the artifacts come from? Many were drawn from the extensive archives of the James J. Shea Sr. Library, but others were saved over the years by Frank Borrelli, assistant dean of student support and experiential learning. For thirteen years, Borrelli has quietly preserved College memorabilia – some rescued from discard piles – with the belief that AIC’s history deserves to be remembered and shared.
The We Are AIC Project originated from a conversation between Borrelli and a group of students reflecting on the value of history, particularly AIC’s history dating back to its founding in 1885. As part of their coursework, Borrelli guided Arts and Entertainment Management students in curating the inaugural exhibit—a valuable experience and a strong addition to their résumés. A virtual version of the exhibit, produced by Communications Professor Marty Langford and his students, will be available via QR code.
Students, faculty, and staff attending the launch were invited to share ideas for expanding the initiative to other areas of campus. Borrelli envisions a series of installations that reflect the collective story of the AIC community, exploring a shared identity through the central question, Who Are We?
The launch of the project—designed to engage the campus around the College’s core values of access, opportunity, diversity, belonging, and community—comes at a time when reaffirming institutional mission helps foster a strong and connected campus. As part of the launch, Borrelli announced the creation of the annual We Are AIC Award, which will recognize individuals who embody these values. Each year, a College advisory group will select five recipients. The inaugural awardees for 2025 are:
Student Tashir Ballard called the honor an incredible privilege. “This moment wasn’t just about receiving an award; it was a reflection of the stories we carry and the legacy we’re building every day,” he said. “This recognition feels like a full-circle moment, a celebration of the time, care, and intention I’ve invested in this work. Being a part of AIC has given me the opportunity to support, advocate for, and stand beside our amazing BIPOC community. I do this work because I believe in building spaces where authenticity is valued, stories are honored, and everyone feels empowered to take up space.”
Ballard thanked Borrelli for creating a platform that centers community, history, and progress. “While there is still much work to be done, this moment serves as a powerful reminder that every step we take is meaningful, and the work is worth it.”
Rory Miller, ’78, was among the alumni who attended the unveiling and described the event as an opportunity for reconnection. He shared that he still has a few pieces of AIC memorabilia at home. “I arrived on this campus fifty years ago in 1975. I still drink from a wine glass with the AIC logo,” he said.
As a student, Miller lived in Lee Hall—then a residence hall, now home to College offices—and held several campus jobs, including operating the switchboard and driving the shuttle. He credits AIC with much of his professional success. “Where I am today, I can thank AIC for that. It was a good school.”
Those attending the ceremony were invited to share reflections in memory books that will become part of the project, answering questions such as: What do you love about AIC? What is your most valuable memory of AIC? What gives you hope for the future of AIC? Tell us your AIC story.
Details on how members of the campus community can contribute to the project will be announced soon. Departments interested in curating their own installations will be welcome to submit proposals. Borrelli emphasized that the project is not meant to be centralized, but rather to evolve across campus spaces.
He has high hopes for participation. “We can make this College go viral—because it deserves to go viral. This is a special place.” Pointing to a historic lantern included in the exhibit, Borrelli reminded attendees of AIC’s motto, Post Tenebras Lux—After Darkness, Light. “This lantern reminds us that we do important work every day. We are scrappy, we are resilient, we are AIC.”
© 2025 American International College